A recent study from the University of Birmingham found that individuals with a lung disease called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) have a higher risk of developing heart conditions, regardless of other risk factors like smoking or age. The study, published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, involved 220 patients with AATD, which causes lung disease similar to COPD. Despite having lower traditional risk factors, 12.7% of AATD patients developed cardiovascular disease within four years. Researchers discovered a link between elevated levels of the enzyme Proteinase 3, lung damage, vascular stiffness, and heart disease, suggesting Proteinase 3 inhibitors as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Lung Disease Raises Risk Of Heart Conditions Regardless Of Other Factors: Study
